Chemistry

The Department of Chemistry supports the land-grant mission of the University and the College of Arts and Sciences. The mission of the Chemistry Department is to encourage the advancement of chemistry in all branches of science, to promote research in science, to improve the qualifications and usefulness of chemists in the workplace through high educational standards and professional ethics. The department prepares each student for a B.S. degree in chemistry or a B.S. in chemistry with a concentration in forensics. Students are prepared to work effectively as laboratory chemist at companies such as Shell, Exxon Mobile and BP. Students are also prepared to pursue professional school such as dentistry, medicine, nursing and pharmacy. Our students are lifelong learners and do well in graduate programs in science disciplines including chemistry, biological and physical sciences, and in other professions requiring a background in chemistry.

The business of chemistry in the USA directly generates approximately 1 million jobs. Millions more are created and supported by the industries that base their own production off of chemistry products, with nearly 37 million jobs (or 26% of total U.S. employment) in industries that depend on chemistry products, including farming, construction, plastics manufacturing, furniture manufacturing, dry cleaning services, building services, health care, food chemistry, forensics, environmental monitoring equipment and services, etc. to name just a few (http://www.americanchemistry.com). The major of chemistry is an excellent choice and provides great earning potential for those that are willing to take the challenge of being one of Fort Valley’s best and brightest.

The Chemistry Department’s curriculum provides each student with comprehensive, stimulating and challenging academic experiences. The course content serves as vehicles for critical thinking in the fundamental areas of modern chemistry.

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The Fort Valley State University Spotlight is featuring Dr. Noel Matthews-Gardener. The alumna earned her doctorate in computational chemistry in 2013. The 29-year-old is currently teaching as a chemistry professor at Hinds Community College.Read More

Former Fort Valley State University student Rena Ingram set the mark high for her fellow peers. As a rising senior, Rena received a $25,000 United Merck Science Initiative Scholarship from The United Negro College Fund and Merck Company Foundation. The funding paid for the FVSU Wildcat’s room and board, tuition and fees. Only 15 students nationwide received the scholarship in 2014. Additionally, FVSU’s chemistry department received a $10,000 grant from the United Negro College Fund and Merck Company Foundation.

The 22-year-old Augusta, Ga. native graduated with a perfect 4.0 average as an FVSU chemistry student, with a forensics concentration. She was the FVSU 2014 Valedictorian. She is a member of the American Chemical Society, and was the 2012-2013 chief justice for FVSU’s Student Government Association. During the 2013-2014 academic year, Ingram held the office of SGA’s vice president. The scholar is also a member of several honors societies, including Beta Kappa Chi, Pi Gamma Mu, and serves as Alpha Lambda Delta’s president.

Ingram is in the Ph.D program at Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. The former FVSU student believes you can do anything you put your mind to with a powerful work ethic. “I plan to be a forensic scientist for the federal government, both in the field and the lab,” said Ingram. She also stated, "Once I retire from active work, I plan to become a professor at an accredited HBCU, to pass on knowledge gained throughout my career.”

For a B.S. degree in chemistry, each student must fulfill all the requirements of the University System of Georgia by satisfying the core curriculum by taking specific tests administered on behalf of the State Board of Regents. Students must meet all graduation requirements as stated in the University catalog, and all the chemistry departmental requirements stated in the catalog.

The Department of Chemistry offers the Bachelor of Science degree (B.S.) in Chemistry and a B.S in Chemistry with a Concentration in Forensics. The B.S. in Chemistry prepares the student for immediate employment or for graduate work in chemistry. Students are provided the opportunity to understand the fundamental principles of the various branches of chemistry, their applications and the relationship of chemistry to other fields. Graduates are prepared to work effectively as laboratory chemists or in other science and engineering related fields. Whether in chemistry, the biological, geological and physical sciences, or other professions such as medical, pharmaceutical, forensics and engineering, the B.S. in Chemistry will prepare for the future. The pathway to a degree in chemistry with a forensic concentration is challenging due to the extensive math, physics and forensic-related coursework that is required. The program is offered in the Department of Chemistry in conjunction with the Criminal Justice Department. Course offerings in the department are designated CHEM, PHSC, GEOL, and SCIE

As a departmental policy, our students are expected to spend a summer of their tenure working in a laboratory in industry or research at major universities. The experiences give our students the exposure of the various instrumentations that may not be available at this time at our University.

The Chemistry Department offer several summer intership through the PS-LSAMP program. Several of these opportunites are localized at FVSU Chemistry and Biology Department. Others include Clark Atlanta University, University of Georgia, and Jackson State University. For information contact:

The Chemistry Curriculum is designed to offer each student a B.S. degree and prepares him/her for careers in science. Students are also prepared to work effectively as laboratory chemists in the chemical, biological and physical science disciplines or in professions requiring a background in chemistry. The curriculum provides each student with comprehensive, stimulating and challenging academic experience. The chemistry course content serves as vehicles for critical thinking in the fundamental area of modern chemistry.